EDUCATION

• Attended Neosho Senior High School, Graduating 1968
• Attended Crowder Junior College, Neosho, Missouri and University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, majoring in Forestry
• Completion of on campus courses offered by the National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, Maryland, each 80 hours in length:
  
  • Incident Command (1981)
  • Command and Control of Fire Department Operations at Catastrophic Disasters (1993)
  • Interpersonal Dynamics (1995)
  • Fire Service Communications (1996)
  • Organizational Theory (1997)
  • Training Program Management(1998)
  • Fire Service Course Design (1998)
  • Executive Planning (2000)
  • All-Hazard Logistical Section Chief (40 hours-2007)
  • All-Hazard Operations Section Chief (FEMA/NWCG L-958-2012)
  
  WORK HISTORY
  
  • 8/1/2010-10/1/2011 -
    
    After a little over a year of retirement and all the scares I can stand, I am back to a part-time job. 30 hours a week, working for Newton County Emergency Management as Operations Chief. Working with the daily activities of the organization. Another job where everyday brings something new. This is another job I think I can enjoy....
    • 10/1/2011-10/30/2014
      
      Well the time has come to start a new era in my life or a time to start a new learning experience. I don’t think I’ll be working on to many vehicles, since my body don’t bend the way it use to, eyes can’t read the letters on the fuse boxes and wiring diagrams the way they use to (bi-focals don’t focal very well), and my patients is far from what it use to be. I have found that working on farm equipment does allow me some relief, because the way the equipment is built; I can use a BIGGER HAMMER. You know the difference between a tattoo and a scar? There’s always a good story to go with the scar. Check back every now an again to see what’s happening.
      • (update 2013.. Farm life is still taking its toll..April 2013 while taking bulls to market an accident occurred, breaking both bones in my lower leg and taking me out of things for a while. Be it farm life or firefighting life still goes on and things get done.)
      • (update 2014)..things are almost back to normal..back to doing things, including Wildland fire, Emergency Management and taking care of the farm. Back in the Fire Service, but not the hard work, now a Board Member of the Neosho Area Fire Protection District and working toward the construction of the Districts' first fire station. Every now and then, I still have the opportunity to put in a few hours of being a fire instructor for the University of Missouri Fire/Rescue Training Program, Big Rivers Forest Fire Management Compact, and the local Southwest Missouri Firefighters Training Alliance. (Life is Good)

      • Fire Chief, Neosho Fire Department 9/1/2003 – 7/30/2010
        
        After 37 ½ years of service with the Neosho Fire Department, I RETIRED. There was only one reason for the retirement, I had hoped to make 40 years, but with the City of Neosho going through some tuff times, I needed to back out and let younger individuals take command. Neosho Daily News Rick Rogers and Wes Franklin did several articles and comments about my last day with the department look for Chief Hickman. You can also search for 'Hickman' between July 1st and August 15th 2010, in their arcives
        They even put me on You Tube .
        
        I left the department in GREAT HANDS and I know Mike will do what needs to be done. He has already had to make some HARD decisions within a couple of weeks of taking over. Shortly after I left, the Citizens voted “NO” on a property tax that would have helped the City out of a financial situation. With that vote, the Neosho Fire Department lost an additional 10 personnel. These City Budget cuts for 2010 accounted for loss of the following positions within the department: Deputy Chief, Training Officer, 6 Firefighters, 3 Engineers, 1 Lieutenant, and Department Secretary; 13 positions total. (UP DATE) Mike did it! He was able to get a SAFER Grant worth about a $75,000 to bring back all the personnel lost due to budget cuts except for Deputy Chief and Secretary positions. The Grant is good for two years and I hope the City will be able to keep those personnel working. THANK YOU to the Neosho Fire Protection District, which was able to support two full time positions of those Engineers that were lost in the cuts. (8/12 Things are looking Up) 2012, the City Council did get "out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire" and brought back property taxes for the City, which allowed them to put some funds back into a "GOOD" Standing in financial status. (Update 2014) Safer Grant has expired and the department is still at almost full force. Deputy Chief and Secretary positions are not funded, but to cover ISO requirements for a Chief Officer to be on scene, Captains received title change, to Bat Chiefs and Lts were changed to Captains. There were not funds to increase pay, but maybe that will change at some point. There are those that still think the Police and Fire Departments are over manned, however they have not had to call upon either department during an emergency..
      
      
    • Deputy Fire Chief, Neosho Fire Department 9/2000 - 9/1/2003
      
      As Deputy Chief, I had to do in 40 hours that which I did in 52 hours, plus the stuff a Deputy Chief does (and sneaking in a few hours of off-duty job time). The hardest part of the job was getting out of the office to go home (Any of you that are chiefs or department heads should know how that goes.) Then Mrs. H, has to put up with me every night.
      
      
    • Captain, Neosho Fire Department 1981- 9/2000
      
      Captain in charge of Training Program for the Neosho Fire Department. As Training Officer, I had the responsibility for all departmental training records, reports, and planning for the departments training program. I was also responsible for all activities and incidents for our two fire stations and needed personnel during my assigned tour of duty. Assigned tour of Duty was a 24 hour shift (thanks to FLSA, now a 52 hours work week and and off-duty job or two), with a staff of one lieutenant, four engineers, and approximately thirty call-back and paid-per-call personnel. From those fire two stations, the department covers the City of Neosho and the Neosho Area Fire Protection District. This area covers approximately 92 square miles. Operating fleet consist of five engines, one ladder, one medium rescue, two water tenders, two brush units, one mobile air supply apparatus, and other support vehicles and equipment. For the years of 1999 and 2000, our department responded to over 1400+ responses.
      
      
    • Engineer, Neosho Fire Department 1973- 1981
      
      Starting out on a 24 hours On, 24 hours Off or a 72 hour work week, (plus working an off-duty job), I was responsible for the operations and maintenance of all equipment and apparatus operated by the Neosho Fire Department. This consisted of 3 pieces of rolling equipment.

      As the department grew, we changed to a 24 hours On and 48 hours Off (56 hour week), I was assigned maintenance officer of the entire operating fleet of apparatus and equipment operated by the fire department. Responsibility covered making repairs, scheduling of repairs, maintaining records, purchasing supplies and writing specifications for the equipment. Fleet at that time included four pumpers, one aerial, one small rescue, assorted support vehicles and all equipment.

      
      
      
      
    • Owner, Hickman Fire Apparatus Service 1981- present
      
      Owner of maintenance service for fire equipment and fire apparatus. Service includes primarily maintenance and repairs to fire pumps and accessories. Some assistance is offered to smaller departments in performing annual service test on pumps. When not working on fire apparatus, time is spent (when I need a break) working on older collectable and customized automobiles. Specializing in automotive electrical problems of electrical drains and rewiring of damaged wiring harnesses.
      
      
      
    • Secondary Towerman, Missouri Department of Conservation, Neosho District 1970-1973
      ---Returned to hourly/part-time basis May 2000 to 2002
      Responsible for fire control and general operations of assigned equipment and manpower used in the suppression of wildland fires. Operated Type 7 engine, carrying up to 300 gallons of water and a 20 gallon per minute pump and Type 3 Tractor/Plow Unit. Also presented public education programs on fire safety and prevention.
    
    QUALIFICATIONS
    
    
    • Thirty-seven(+) years in fire related activities of command and control of fire operations at emergency and non-emergency operations.
    • Training received in fire suppression, rescue and recovery, personnel supervision, public education, instructional techniques, emergency medical, incident management system, incident investigation, and hazardous materials.
    • Adjunct Instructor for University of Missouri Fire Training Institute in Columbia, Missouri
    • Instructor for Crowder College; Fire Fighter I & II Program
    • Instructor for State of Missouri Department of Conservation; Fire Behavior and Survival Training S-130 / 190
    • Associate Instructor for Big Rivers Forest Fire Management Compact and University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute's I-100, S-130/190, (Basic Wildland Firefighter training) L-180 and L-280 (Leadership)Training Courses, and S-211 (Portable pumps)
    • Train-the-Trainer for USDA Forest Service Wildland/Urban Interface 3D Training Simulator
    
    
    CERTIFICATION
    
    
    • International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Certified Fire Fighter 1 and 2 for the State of Missouri
    • International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Certified Fire Instructor 3 for the State of Missouri (since 8/02- expires 7/2023)
    • International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Certified Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator(2016)
    • International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Certified Driver/Operator(Pumper)(2016)
    • International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Certified Driver/Operator(Mobile Water Supply)(2020)
    • Instructor for FEMA's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Train-the Trainer Program
    • State Instructor for Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator Train-the-Trainer Program
    • State Emergency Management Agency Propane Emergency Train-the-Trainer Program
    • State Certified Instructor for following courses:
      • Mobile Water Supply Operations
      • Emergency Vehicle Driver Training Program
      • Highway Safety for Emergency Service Personnel
      • Basic Pump
      • Firefighter 1 & 2
    • International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Certified Hazardous Materials Incident Response - Awareness and Operations Levels
    • State Certified Rescue Training in Water Rescue and Farm Accident Rescue,
    • Certified Training in Radiological Monitoring
    • Certified Training in Confined Space Entry and Rescue
    • Factory Certified Training on both Waterous and Darley Fire Pumps
    • Certified First Responder Trained
    • Certified Training from Department of Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in Criminal Investigation
    • And a couple of 3 inch binders full of "Been There And Done That" certificates including a pile of FEMA and State Emergency Management ICS and Management training certificates.

    • National Wildfire Coordinating Group completed training:
      • S-130 (Standards for Survival)
      • S-131 (Advanced Firefighter Training)
      • S-190 (Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior)
      • S-211 (Portable Pumps and Water Use)
      • S-217 (Interagency Helicopter Training)
      • S-230 (Crew Boss)
      • S-231 (Engine Boss)
      • S-234 (Ignition Operations)
      • S-270 (Basic Air Operations)
      • S-290 (Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior)
      • L-180 (Human Factors on the Fireline)
      • L-280 (Followership to Leadership)
    
    
    Wildland Experience:
    • Frank Church Wilderness of No Return,Mc,Call, Idaho (94)FF2
    • Ackerson Complex, California, (96)FF2
    • Flagler County, Florida, (98)FF2
    • Helicopter Crew Member HECM-T, Arkansas (01)
    • Alpine Fire, HECM-T, Wyoming (01)
    • Yellowstone Park Complex , HECM, Wyoming (01)
    • Coal Seam & Million Fires, HECM, Colorado (02)
    • Malheur NF, Monument Complex, HECM, Oregon (02)
    • Columbia Space Shuttle Recovery, HECM, Texas (03)
    • Mud Lake Fire, HECM, Washington (04)
    • Rattlesnake Wildland Fire Use Fire , HECM, Washington (04)
    • New Fire (was old by time I got there), HECM, New Mexico (05)
    • Oak City Canyon Fire, HECM, Utah (06)
    • Trailhead Fire, HECM, Idaho (06)
    • Tripod Complex, HECM, Washington (06)
    • Landmark Complex, HECM, Cascade,Idaho (07)
    • Pagami Creek, HECM/ABRO, Minnesota (11)
    • Miller Homestead, ABRO, Frenchglen,Oregon (12)
    • McGuire Complex, Nez Perch NF, ABRO (12),
    • Region 23, Nebraska Forest Service, HECM (12),
    • Packer Creek, ABRO,Bridger-Teton National Forest Wyoming (13)
    • Green Fire, ABRO, Bridger-Teton Nation Forest, Wyoming,(13),
    • State Fire, ABRO, Idaho/Utah (13)
    • Patch Springs, ABRO, Northern Utah, (13),
    • Chiwaukum Creek Complex, ABRO, Washington (14)
    • 21 Mile Grade Fire, ABRO, Washington (15)
    • Horseshoe Fire, ABRO, Washington (15)
    • Yale Fire, ABRO/TOLC Washington (16)
    • Blanket Creek, ABRO/DECK/TLOC Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Oregon (17)
    • Miriam Fire ABRO/TOLC/DECK, Washington (18)
    • Red Salmon Complex ABRO/TOLC California, (20)
    • East Fork Fire ABRO/TOLC Utah (20)
    • West Lolo Complex ABRO/TOLC Montana (21)
    
    
    INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES
    
    
    • Operations Chief for Newton County Missouri Emergency Management
    • Elected Board Member Neosho Area Fire Protection District (4/2014 > 2025)
    • Past Chairman of the Board for the Neosho Area Fire Protection District
    • Past Secretary/Treasure for Ozark Gateway Fire Chief Association now honorary member
    • Past President and Board Member of Neosho Volunteer Firemen Inc.
    • Past Vice President and Founding Member of Neosho Local 2861 of the International Association of Fire Fighters
    • Founding Member of IAFF Local 2001, Neosho Shop and the Neosho Volunteer Firemen Inc.
    • Previous Member of the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Committee
    • Previous Project Leader in the Newton County 4-H Program
    
    Interests: Spending time with Family, Traveling, Camping, working on antique and custom automobiles, and wildland fire fighting.
    

    Thank you for stopping by!

    
    Email: hilbille@rocketmail.com